Gripping device for hand held implement

ABSTRACT

A gripping device for hand held implements, such as a pencil, has a body with front and rear ends. The body also has a dorsal side and a ventral side. An axial bore extends through the body for receiving the implement. The dorsal side has indents, which cradle the ends of the user&#39;s index finger and thumb. The indents equally accommodate right-handed and left-handed users, and the ventral side is shaped for receiving the user&#39;s right or left middle finger, whichever the case may be.

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention pertains to gripping devices and moreparticularly pertains to a gripping device for a hand held implementthat accommodates both right-handed and left-handed users.

[0002] Numerous gripping devices have heretofore been proposed forimproving a user's grip on hand held implements such as pencils, pens,utensils and so forth. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,832,604 and 4,689,020 disclosewriting aids, or pencil grips, invented by the present inventor. Thosewriting aids include a body with a central bore for receiving a writinginstrument. Gripping surfaces for receiving the user's fingers areformed in the exterior of the body. There is a first gripping surfacefor receiving the user's first finger, a second gripping surfacepositioned for receiving the user's second finger and a third grippingsurface for receiving the user's third finger. At least one of thegripping surfaces has surface indicia for instructing the user on how tograsp the device. An outwardly extending arcuate segment is formed onthe inside wall of the bore, which helps grip the writing instrument.

[0003] The patented devices, however, are distinctly right- orleft-handed, not both. The gripping surfaces of one model are formed forreceiving only the user's first, second and third right-hand fingers.While the gripping surfaces of the other model are formed for receivingthe user's first, second and third left fingers. The two devices arevery similar in appearance. Their overall shapes are in the form of adisfigured sphere. There is no readily discernable front or rear end.Consequently, customers confuse the right-handed gripping devices withleft-handed ones and make costly ordering, shipping and handlingmistakes as a result.

[0004] Moreover, according to the teachings of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,832,604and 4,689,020, direction indicating means and other indicia, e.g.,patterns in the shape of stars and arrows, are formed on the exterior ofthe devices to help distinguish right-handed models from left-handed,thumb from index finger, and so on. The markings also function toeducate users on the proper way to orient the device on a pencil.Despite the instructional markings and patterns, users are stillconfused.

[0005] Additionally, two distinctly different models require two molds,which adds to overall manufacturing cost.

[0006] Therefore, it is highly desirable to provide a new grippingdevice for a hand held implement that accommodates both right-handed andleft-handed users.

[0007] It is also highly desirable to provide a new gripping device fora hand held implement that accommodates both right-handed andleft-handed users and that has a distinct shape so that the customer isnot confused and can properly orient the device onto the writinginstrument.

[0008] It is also highly desirable to provide a new gripping device fora hand held implement that accommodates both right-handed andleft-handed users that does not require the use of markings, patterns,or other surface indicia.

[0009] It is also highly desirable to provide a new gripping device fora hand held implement that accommodates both right-handed andleft-handed users capable of being manufactured using a single mold.

[0010] Finally, it is highly desirable to provide a new gripping devicefor a hand held implement that accommodates both right-handed andleft-handed users that meets all of the above desired features.

SUMMARY

[0011] Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a newgripping device for a hand held implement that accommodates bothright-handed and left-handed users.

[0012] It is also an object of the invention to provide a new grippingdevice for a hand held implement that accommodates both right-handed andleft-handed users and that has a distinct shape so that the customer isnot confused and can properly orient the device onto the writinginstrument.

[0013] It is also an object of the invention to provide a new grippingdevice for a hand held implement that accommodates both right-handed andleft-handed users that do not require the use of markings, patterns, orother surface indicia.

[0014] It is also an object of the invention to provide a new grippingdevice for a hand held implement that accommodates both right-handed andleft-handed users capable of being manufactured using a single mold.

[0015] Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide a newgripping device for a hand held implement that accommodates bothright-handed and left-handed users that meets all of the above desiredfeatures.

[0016] The applicant has invented a new gripping device thataccommodates both right-handed and left-handed users. Applicant's newgripping device is shaped to define a front end and a rear end, whicheliminates customer confusion with respect to properly orienting thedevice onto the implement. Applicant's novel gripping device does notrequire two distinct molds and has no markings or patterns formed on it.Thus, applicant's gripping device is inexpensive to manufacture and canbe sold for a price less than the cost of two (right and left) prior artdevices.

[0017] In the broader aspects of the invention there is provided agripping device for a hand held implement that accommodates bothright-handed and left-handed users that has a body with a dorsal sideand a ventral side. The body is parabolically-shaped to define a frontend and a rear end. An axial bore extends through the body for receivingthe shaft of the hand held implement. The dorsal side of the body hasindents. Each indent is shaped for receiving a corresponding finger ofthe user. The ventral side is shaped for receiving the user's right orleft middle finger such that the user's right or left middle fingerextends substantially transverse of the axis when the user grasps thebody, respectively, with his right or left hand.

DRAWINGS

[0018] The above-mentioned and other features and objects of theinvention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent andthe invention itself will be better understood by reference to thefollowing description of an embodiment of the invention taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0019]FIG. 1 is an elevational perspective view of the gripping device.

[0020]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front end of the grippingdevice.

[0021]FIG. 3 is another perspective view showing the dorsal side of thegripping device.

[0022]FIG. 4 is also a perspective view showing the ventral side of thegripping device.

[0023]FIG. 5 is another perspective view showing the first left grippingsurface, the second right gripping surface and the third grippingsurface.

[0024]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the rear end of the grippingdevice.

[0025]FIG. 7 is yet another perspective view showing the first rightgripping surface, the second left gripping surface and the thirdgripping surface.

[0026]FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the gripping device mountedon a pencil grasped by the user's right hand.

[0027]FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the gripping device mountedon a pencil grasped by the user's left hand.

DESCRIPTION

[0028] As shown in the Figures, a gripping device 10 for a hand heldimplement 500 is provided. Hand held implement 500 has elongatedsubstantially cylindrical shaft 505 and may be a pen, pencil or otherhand held implement that requires dexterity and control to use. A pencil500 is shown in the Figures as an example.

[0029] Body 20 is generally in the shape of a parabola and has a frontend 32, rear end 34, ventral side 60, dorsal side 40 and bore 30. Bore30 is formed along axis 80, and the diameter of bore 30 is sized so asto snugly receive shaft 505 of hand held implement 500. First rightgripping surface 44 is positioned on dorsal side 40 for receiving theuser's right index finger 45. Second right gripping surface 42 is alsopositioned on dorsal side 40 for receiving the user's right thumb 47.First left gripping surface 54 for receiving the user's left indexfinger 55 and second left gripping surface 52 for receiving the user'sleft thumb 57 are also positioned on dorsal side 40. The first right,first left, second right, and second left gripping surfaces 44, 54, 42,and 52 are referred to collectively throughout the description asindents. Indents are substantially concave for cradling the user'sfingers.

[0030] Body 20 is high pressure molded from a thermoplastic elastomer.Plastic pellets are loaded into a two-part mold and heated to betweenabout 300° F.-400° F. The resulting body 20 is slightly pliable so thatit resists sliding on shaft 505 and is comfortable to the touch.

[0031] The two-part mold has convex protuberances formed on its insidewalls to make the indents. The convex protuberances that correspond tothe first gripping surfaces 44, 54 each have a first volume; and theconvex protuberances formed in the mold corresponding to the secondgripping surfaces 42, 52 each have a second volume. The first volume andthe second volume have a volumetric relationship of between about 0.2 to0.8.

[0032] Additionally, first right gripping surface 44 and second leftgripping surface 52 are arranged on body 20 in linear fashionsubstantially parallel to axis 80. Similarly, first left grippingsurface 54 and second right gripping surface 42 are also arranged onbody 20 in a linear fashion parallel to axis 80.

[0033] Ventral side 50 is shaped to define third gripping surface 60 forreceiving the user's right middle finger 49 or left middle finger 59.

[0034] The right- and left-handed use of gripping device 10 is describedbelow. When used with the right hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the user'sright index finger 45 is positioned on first right gripping surface 44,and the user's right thumb 47 is positioned on second right grippingsurface 42. In the right-handed application, the user's right middlefinger 49 is positioned on third gripping surface 60 so that it extendssubstantially transverse of axis 80.

[0035] When used with the left hand, the user's left index finger 55 ispositioned on first left gripping surface 54, and the user's left thumb57 is positioned on second left gripping surface 52, as shown in FIG. 9.Of course, in the left-handed application, the user's left middle finger59 is positioned on third gripping surface 60 so that it extendssubstantially transverse of axis 80.

[0036] The unique combination of gripping surfaces 44, 54, 42, 52 and 60equally accommodates right-handed and left-handed users. Additionally,the distinct parabolic shape of body 20 defines a front end and a rearend 32, 34 of gripping device 10 so that customers are not confused andcan properly orient device 10 onto shaft 505 of implement 500. Markings,patterns, or other surface indicia on body 20 are unnecessary as aresult.

[0037] Moreover, since one model of gripping device 10 serves all usersregardless of whether they are right- or left-handed, only one mold,(without markings, patterns, or indicia), is needed. Manufacturing timeand cost are, therefore, substantially reduced. While a specificembodiment of the invention has been shown and described herein forpurposes of illustration, the protection afforded by any patent whichmay issue upon this application is not strictly limited to the disclosedembodiment, but extends to all structures and arrangements which fallfairly within the scope of the claims which are appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gripping device for a hand held implement thatequally accommodates right-handed and left-handed users, wherein thehand held implement has an elongated substantially cylindrical shaft,said device comprising: a body having an exterior, and a bore extendingalong an axis through said body for receiving said shaft of saidimplement; a first right gripping surface positioned on said exterior ofsaid body for receiving the user's right index finger; a second rightgripping surface positioned on said exterior of said body for receivingthe user's right thumb; a first left gripping surface positioned on saidexterior of said body for receiving the user's left index finger; asecond left gripping surface positioned on said exterior of said bodyfor receiving the user's left thumb; and, a third gripping surfacepositioned on said exterior of said body for receiving said user's rightor left middle finger.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said grippingsurfaces are indents formed in said exterior of said body.
 3. The deviceof claim 1 wherein said first right gripping surface and said secondleft gripping surface are arranged on said body in linear fashionsubstantially parallel to said axis.
 4. The device of claim 1 whereinsaid first left gripping surface and said second right gripping surfaceare arranged on said body in linear fashion substantially parallel tosaid axis.
 5. The device of claim 3 wherein said first left grippingsurface and said second right gripping surface are arranged on said bodyin linear fashion substantially parallel to said axis.
 6. The device ofclaim 5 wherein said first right, second right, first left and secondleft gripping surfaces are indents formed in said exterior of said body.7. A gripping device for a hand held implement that equally accommodatesright-handed and left-handed users, wherein the hand held implement hasan elongated substantially cylindrical shaft, said device comprising: abody having an exterior, and a bore extending along an axis through saidbody for receiving said shaft of said implement; a first right grippingsurface positioned on said exterior of said body for receiving theuser's right index finger; a second right gripping surface positioned onsaid exterior of said body for receiving the user's right thumb; a firstleft gripping surface positioned on said exterior of said body forreceiving the user's left index finger; and, a second left grippingsurface positioned on said exterior of said body for receiving theuser's left thumb.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein a third grippingsurface is positioned on said exterior of said body for receiving eithersaid user's right middle finger when said user's right index finger ispositioned on said first right gripping surface and said user's rightthumb is positioned on said second right gripping surface, or saiduser's left middle finger when said user's left index finger ispositioned on said first left gripping surface and said user's leftthumb is positioned on said second left gripping surface.
 9. The deviceof claim 7 wherein said first right, second right, first left and secondleft gripping surfaces are indents formed in said exterior of said body.10. The device of claim 7 wherein said first right gripping surface andsaid second left gripping surface are arranged on said body in linearfashion substantially parallel to said axis.
 11. The device of claim 7wherein said first left gripping surface and said second right grippingsurface are arranged on said body in linear fashion substantiallyparallel to said axis.
 12. The device of claim 8 wherein said firstright, second right, first left and second left gripping surfaces areindents formed in said exterior of said body.
 13. The device of claim 10wherein said first left gripping surface and said second right grippingsurface are arranged on said body in linear fashion substantiallyparallel to said axis.
 14. A gripping device for a hand held implementthat equally accommodates right-handed and left-handed users, whereinthe hand held implement has an elongated substantially cylindricalshaft, said device comprising: a body with a dorsal side, a ventralside, and an axial bore extending through said body for receiving saidshaft; said dorsal side of said body having indents, each of saidindents is shaped for receiving a corresponding finger of said user. 15.The device of claim 14 wherein said ventral side is shaped for laterallyreceiving a right or a left middle finger of said user, wherein saidright or left middle finger extends substantially transverse of saidaxis when said user grasps said body.
 16. The device of claim 15 whereinsaid indents are substantially concave.
 17. The device of claim 15wherein said body is formed from plastic.
 18. The device of claim 16wherein said body is formed from plastic.
 19. The device of claim 17wherein said body is parabolically-shaped.
 20. The device of claim 18wherein said body is parabolically-shaped.